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How To Safely Remove Tree Sap From Cars: Autoglym Shares Essential Tips
Car owners are being warned against using quick-fix online 'hacks' to remove tree sap from vehicles. The recent high temperatures in the UK have led to an increase in sticky deposits on cars. Autoglym, a leading car care brand, advises that unconventional chemicals and sharp objects can cause lasting damage to vehicle paintwork and trims.
'Tree sap' refers to resins from conifers like pine and fir, as well as honeydew produced by aphids on deciduous trees such as acers, birch, magnolia, oak, elm, walnut, beech, and wisteria. These residues harden quickly due to their high sugar content. The longer they remain on paintwork, the harder they are to remove.
The Royal Horticultural Society notes that tree sap on vehicles will become more common as UK temperatures rise and aphid populations grow. There are over 5,000 breeds of aphid in the UK, with up to 2.5 million able to inhabit a single tree at any one time.
Many social media hacks suggest using substances like acetone, alcohol, anti-bacterial hand gel, lacquer thinner, turpentine, nail polish remover, petrol, and WD40 to remove sap deposits. However, Autoglym warns that these chemicals can attack vehicle plastics and rubber trim and strip away protective coatings.
One hack involves scraping hardened tree sap with a razor blade. This method is risky and could lead to costly repairs if it damages the vehicle's surface.
Autoglym’s Top Tips
During early summer when sap deposits are most common, check your car frequently and wash off residues soon after finding them. The longer they stay on the paintwork, the harder they are to remove.
Avoid parking under trees whenever possible—especially those with high sugar content like fruit and maple trees—as these attract aphids that shed honeydew. Also consider wind direction when parking near trees; sap deposits can be carried by the wind even if you’re not directly under branches.
Rain showers might seem helpful but can worsen the problem by causing sap to fall from leaves and branches or prompting aphids to move and shed more honeydew.
Safe Removal Techniques
To safely remove sap, Autoglym recommends softening the residue first with warm water before applying a suitable car care solution. Avoid forcibly rubbing at sap residues during washing as this can cause light scratches and mar lacquer gloss. Instead, repeat the wash process with plenty of soapy water and gentle agitation without letting suds dry out.
Consider using snow foam for longer cleaning solution dwell time which helps soften sap deposits. Autoglym’s three-step Polar snow foam process (Polar Blast, Polar Wash and Polar Seal) can soften residues, clean the entire vehicle and protect paintwork.
If stubborn sap remains after washing, use a dedicated automotive clay bar like Autoglym Clay Detailing Complete Kit which gently lifts sap and other contaminants from paintwork surfaces. Alternatively use a solvent-based car care product designed for tar removal such as Autoglym Intensive Tar Remover for harder baked-on sap.
Prevention Measures
Prevention is better than cure; after washing your car apply some form of protection like polishes waxes or sealants (e.g., Autoglym Rapid Ceramic Spray). These create a barrier preventing stubborn adherence of sap making it easier to wash off later.
Founded in 1965 Autoglym is UK's largest vehicle care brand developing testing producing all its chemical products at state-of-the-art facilities in Letchworth Garden City North Hertfordshire UK exporting over 45 countries offering award-winning range covering every aspect casual user committed enthusiast professional valeters public-service vehicles LifeShine paint protection system lifetime guarantee franchised independent retailers across UK visit www.autoglym.com for more information.
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